Recent news

4 results for Stroke

Research suggests those who work a 55-hour week have a 33% increased risk of stroke.

The health implications of working long hours have been revealed in a major study. It was found that those who work longer hours are more at risk of stroke, and the longer they work, the higher the risk.

The study is the largest carried out on the issue and took place across three continents. Led by scientists at University College London, it was found that those who work 55 hours plus a week, had a 33% increased risk of stroke compared to those who work an average 35-40 hour week. Working longer hours was also found to increase risk of coronary disease by 13%.

The findings have been published in the Lancet medical journal. Researchers pointed out that the results of the study cannot state that long working hours causes stroke, just that there is a link and that this link gets stronger the more hours are worked.

“Sudden death from overwork is often caused by stroke and is believed to result from a repetitive triggering of the stress...

A comic strip called 'Medikidz' has been developed to help younger members of the family understand how illnesses (such as stroke) affect loved ones.

Ken Rudge suffered a stroke at the age of 55, and while he survived the ordeal, he was left with mobility and speech difficulties. The adult members of the family understood the gravity of the situation and what had taken place, but this wasn’t the case for his grandson Ethan (aged 12 at the time), all he understood was that his granddad had changed and he didn’t know why.

Ethan’s experience has now been used as a basis for a new comic book designed to help youngsters in a similar situation. The comic book is called ‘Medikidz Explain Stroke’ and helps to explain how stroke affects the human body.

In the story Ethan’s character avoids his granddad after the stroke and finds himself surrounded by five medical superheroes called Medikidz. They take Ethan to their planet, Mediland, which is an exact replica of the human body.

The story continues with the Medikidz showing Ethan exactly why strokes happen, how they affect the body...

For some stroke patients simple tasks such as making a cup of tea become challenging - researchers believe technology could help.

It is estimated that 150,000 people suffered a stroke last year in the UK, a condition caused by a lack of blood getting to the brain. Well known symptoms of stroke tend to be physical, for example left-side paralysis or problems with speech; however, for 68% of cases symptoms go deeper.

For this percentage of stroke survivors, disorders such as apraxia and action disorganisation syndrome (AADS) can develop, causing sufferers to experience difficulty in sequencing certain actions including washing themselves and making the bed.

While improved brain-scanning techniques have made it easier for doctors to identify AADS, the condition is often overlooked in favour of physical rehabilitation.

Now, a team of psychologists and engineers has come together in a project that looks to improve the life of thousands. The Cogwatch project aims to help restore patients’ independence by developing rehabilitation systems that can be installed into homes.